MOSCOW, February 4 - RAPSI. The two Russians who were kidnapped in Syria in mid December 2012 have been exchanged for Syrian rebels, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.

"The Russian nationals have been delivered to the Russian Embassy in Damascus. They are safe and in good health. They have been able to talk with their relatives," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

Russian nationals Viktor Gorelov and Abdessattar Hassun, who also holds a Syrian passport, were working in Syria when they were kidnapped on December 17 while traveling between the cities of Homs and Tartus.

Italian engineer Mario Belluomo, who was kidnapped together with the Russians, has also been released in exchange for Syrian rebels. He will shortly be taken to the Italian authorities.

The number of victims in the conflict in Syria, which broke out in March 2011, has been estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000. The Syrian authorities say that they are fighting well-armed rebels who receive assistance from foreign patrons.